Track-crossing protector.



No. 638,876. Patented Dec. 2, I899. M. D. MEYER.

TRACK CROSSING PROTECTOR.

(Application file d July 5, 1889.) (No Model.) 2 Sheet-Sheet l.

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Patented Dec. I2, 1899.

M. D. MEY-ER.

TRACK CROSSING PROTECTOR.

(Application filed July 5, 1899.) (N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Ohm 2 m: uoams PETERS co, mom-umu. WASHINGTON. u. c.

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TRACK-CROSSING PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,876, dated December 12, 1899.

Application filed July 5,1899. Serial No. 722,807. '(No model.)

To all whom it nw/y concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHIAS D. MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Track-Crossing Protectors; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a device which is especially designed to make a noiseless crossing at the points where two lines of track intersect each other and to prevent a constant jar and concussion caused by the passing of the wheels over the open joints formed by such crossings.

It consists of a construction of the crossing with raised continuous surfaces upon which the flange of the wheels roll while the faces of the wheel are passing over the open joints formed by the intersection of the crossing tracks, thus providing a smooth and continuous support at these points. These flanged supporting-sections are removably connected with the crossing. They decline at each end and merge into the ordinary portion of the track where the wheel-tread runs upon the higher portion of the rails. They are also grooved or channeled, so as to form a guide for the wheel-flanges while the treads of the Wheels are temporarily elevated from the track.

My invention also comprises details of construction, which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure l is a plan view of a crossing. Fig.

2 is a section on line 00 m of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a crossing, while the noise is very objectionable. The tread of the wheel ordinarily runs upon the elevated portion of the track, and the flanges serve to prevent the wheels from leaving the track, and they do not ordinarily rest directly upon any portion of a surface, simply acting to prevent the wheels from moving sidewise off the rails.

In my invention I form a bed or surface beneath the line over which the flange E of the wheel travels, and this bed inclines grad ually upward from a point at some little dis tance from the crossing, so that it soon receives the wheel-flange, and the weight of the car will be carried thereon. The rise of this portion is sufficient to raise the tread of the wheel entirely above the top of the rail while the wheel is passing over the other tracks, and as the surface which supports the flange is continuous from one side to the other it will be manifest that all wheels passing over it will be thus raised and that no jar, noise, or concussion will take place. The wheels are in the same manner gradually let down after passing the crossing until the treads again rest upon the tops of the rails, while the flanges run freely in the usual manner.

The supporting portion F, upon which the wheel-flanges travel, may be made with a shallow groove or channel f corresponding with the shape of the wheel-flange, so that the latter will run in this groove while passing the crossing. This steadies the movements of the wheels and makes a smoother passage over the crossing. These elevated strips may either be rolled or cast directly with the remainder of the crossing or they may be built up independently and attached so that they can be easily replaced when worn out without disturbing the rails.

As here shown, the crossing rests upon a metal support G, and the parts intermediate between the crossing tracks are made independently and fitted into beveled grooves or channels at the ends,which hold them in line. Bolts secure them to the base-plate, and these parts are removable and replaceable at will.

The treads F, upon which the wheel-flanges travel exterior to the crossing line, are made separate, as shown, and beveled or otherwise fitted to place against the side of the rails,

and these are also secured by bolts to the bedplate, so that they may be at any time removed and replaced. The result desired in this construction may be accomplished by depressing the ends of the rails upon each side of the open spaces of the crossings, so that the flanges will travel upon the continuous surface, as before described, and the tread of the wheels will pass above the open spaces of the crossing rails without contact therewith, but will again bear upon the rails as soon as the crossing is complete. The sections F which lie at right angles with the sections F, extend entirely across in single pieces, which are equivalent to the separate pieces F and F, and their inner faces have vertical inclined channels at f, so that the beveled ends of the sections F fit and abut against the grooves and lock these sections in place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a railway-track crossing, supplemental supporting-surfaces extending across the tracks interior to the rails and against the inner sides thereof and having a base-support independent of the crossing rails, said surfaces forming a support upon which the wheel-flanges travel and maintain the Wheeltreads out of contact with the rails, independent extensions exterior to the crossing track and in line with said supplemental surfaces and inclined so that the wheels are gradually lifted on approaching the crossing and again lowered upon the rails after passing the crossing, and a base to which the interior and exterior sections are independently secured.

In a track-crossing, independently-secured supports interior to the main rails and supported independently thereof, and having grooves or channels corresponding with the shape of the wheel-flanges upon which the latter are supported to raise the Wheel-tread out of contact with the rails while passing the crossing.

3. In a railway-track crossing, removable sections independent of the main rails and forming said crossing, a base upon which said sections are supported independent of the main rails and to which base they are bolted, substantially as described.

t. In a railway-track crossing, parallel independent sections interior to the rails of one track, with inclined ends extending outside of the other line of track, grooves in the top surfaces to receive the wheel-flanges, beveled channels in their opposing faces, intermediate sections at right angles thereto, with beveled ends fitting said channels, independent inclined sections exterior to the first-named track forming continuations of the intermediate sections, and grooves to receive the wheel-fianges.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

MATTHIAS D. MEYER.

Witnesses:

S. H. NoURsE, Gno. II. STRONG. 

